The 45-mile route between the two towns originally carried supplies and ore cars to and from the mines. Now, the train cars are filled with tourists longing for a historic ride through the San Juan Mountains.

The 45-mile route between the two towns originally carried supplies and ore cars to and from the mines. Now, the train cars are filled with tourists longing for a historic ride through the San Juan Mountains. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is the center of the universe in Durango. The town, nestled in a valley at 6,500 feet with the Animas River running through it, used to rely on mining its for existence; now the train and the tourists who ride it are the main revenue sources.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is the center of the universe in Durango. The town, nestled in a valley at 6,500 feet with the Animas River running through it, used to rely on mining its for existence; now the train and the tourists who ride it are the main revenue sources. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)